新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 20:00 2013/07/05

 Friday July 5th, 2013.

Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on our program this evening.
China and Russia begin a week-long joint naval drill.
Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood calling for fresh wave of protests.
South Korea set to discuss how to reopen Kaesong industrial park with the North.
Business, China makes new offer to settle solar panel dispute.
Sports, Sabine Lisicki and Marion Bartoli into the women’s final at Wimbledon.
Entertainments, 90’s boyband New Kids on the Block offer advice to troubled Justin Bieber.
Plus Special reports takes a look at hot debates surrounding a new Elderly Protection Law here in China.
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will be clear tonight with a low of 23 degrees Celsius. Tomorrow cloudy with a high temperature of 35. Thundershowers are expected on Sunday with a high of 32.
Meanwhile Shanghai will have heavy rain tonight, with a low of 26,　light rain tomorrow, with a high of 31.
Lhasa will have moderate rain tonight, 12 degrees the low, showers tomorrow with a high of 22.
Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia
Islamabad, overcast, with a high of 40.
Kabul, sunny, 35.
Over in Australia
Sydney, sunny, highs of 18.
Canberra, sunny, 12.
Brisbane, sunny, 22.
And finally, Perth will be sunny with a high of 18.
 
 
Top News
 
 
China Russia conduct joint drill
 
China and Russia are starting a week-long joint naval drill in waters near Russia's Peter the Great Bay.
A fleet of Chinese warships have arrived in Russia's Far Eastern port of Vladi/vostok to participate in the "Joint Sea 2013" drill.
A total of 19-vessels, eight planes and two teams of special forces from the two countries will participate in the exercises.
The maneuvers will focus on joint maritime air defense, joint escorts and marine search and anti-submarine exercises.
Military expert Yin Zhuo.
"Anti-submarine skills are usually not shared with other countries expect for allies. So it's really important that Russia is conducting anti-submarine drills with Chinese navies this time. For example, the US only carries out such drills with Japan and South Korea among its Asian allies. China and Russia are not allies, but we are doing the drill anyway. This means we have reached a high level of mutual trust."
The drill is aimed at enhancing the two navies' capability in tackling common challenges.
Zhang Junshe is with the Naval Military Studies Research Institute.
"Compared to joint exercises by other Asian countries, the China Russia one is on a smaller scale, and it is not offensive in nature. For example, it does not include an island defence drill like some country had in the drills. I want to point out that China is still committed to solve the territorial disputes with neighboring countries through dialogue."
The upcoming drill between China and Russia is believed to be one of the largest joint military maneuvers in the region.
Last year, the two navies conducted a joint drill in the Yellow Sea.
 
 
Fifth Sina-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) held on July 10 and 11
 
Anchor:
China and the United States are set to hold their fifth round of Strategic and Economic Dialogue next week in Washington.
The two sides will share their views on expanding cooperation in various fields and strengthening coordination on international and regional issues.
CRI's Xie Zhao has more
Reporter:
The latest round of Sino-U.S Strategic and Economic Dialogue is set to be held from July 10th to 11th in Washington.
The upcoming dialogue will be co-chaired by Vice Premier Wang Yang and State Councilor Yang Jiechi, who will act as special representatives of President Xi Jinping.
On the U.S side, Secretary of State John Kerry and Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, will be acting as special representatives of U.S President Barack Obama.
Assistant Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang says the two sides will discuss the implementation of agreements made during a recent summit between the countries' Presidents in California.
"The key point of the dialogue is to implement the consensus made by the Presidents of both countries. Both sides will share their views on various fields, such as political security and economic and financial issues. The topics in this dialogue are very extensive, almost covering all important bilateral issues and international and regional issues of common concern."
Vice Finance Minister Zhu Guang Yao says the two sides will discuss three issues in the economic field.
"Firstly, we should expand investment and trade cooperation. Secondly, we will enhance structural reforms and sustainable development. Thirdly, we will stabilize financial markets and reforms."
Zhu Guangyao also says financial supervision is a key issue in the dialogue.
Meanwhile, assistant Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang has also taken time to call for related parties to re-start the stalled six-party talks.
"Currently, there are some positive changes regarding peninsula situation. What we should do is open the door for another round of dialogue instead of closing the door. We hope all the parties involved should work together to restart the six party talks as soon as possible. "
Cyber security is also expected to be high on the agenda at the Dialogue.
The dialogue, which was set up in 2009, is the highest-level bilateral forum between the two countries.
For CRI, This is Xie Zhao.
 
 
Egypt's MB planning for wave of protests, Islamists attacks in Sinai
 
Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood has called for a wave of protests this Friday following President Mohammed Morsi's ouster.
The head of Egypt's constitutional court, Adly Mansour, who is now the country's new interim leader, has pledged to hold elections based on the "genuine people's will".
However, the Muslim Brotherhood says it refuses to cooperate with the new leadership.
Meantime, there are concerns Islamist violence could break out in retaliation for Morsi's ouster.
At least one soldier has reportedly been killed and three others injured in an armed attack by Islamist militants in North Sinai.
President Morsi himself is in detention as well as senior figures in the Brotherhood.
Now for more on the unrest in Egypt, we are joined on the line by David Keyton, CRI's Special Correspondent in Cairo.
…
Back anchor: David Keyton, CRI's Special Correspondent in Cairo.
 
 
Egypt's future remains uncertain
 
Anchor:
Egypt's lead prosecutor has issued a travel ban for ousted President Mohamed Morsi.
35 other leading Muslim Brotherhood figures have also been hit with travel bans.
CRI's Su Yi has more on the latest developments in Egypt.
Reporter:
The travel bans come amid investigations into Morsi and other Muslim Brotherhood members' roles in inciting violence against anti-government demonstrators this past week.
The travel ban comes just a day after Morsi was deposed by the Egyptian military.
The head of the country's Supreme Constitutional Court has since been sworn-in as the new interim president.
Military forces have already arrested the Muslim Brotherhood's top leader Mohamed Badie.
The Muslim Brotherhood has since gone on record, rejecting any notion of working with the new authorities.
Essam El Haddad is a senior Muslim Brotherhood member and Mohamed Morsi's foreign relations advisor.
"We put full responsibility on every person that participated in that coup and empowered it to happen. And we put responsibility on them, on anything, any harm happening to the person of the presidency, to the legitimacy of the nation, to Dr. Mohammed Morsi."
Meantime, demonstrations are continuing across the country.
Demonstrators in Cairo's Tahrir Square are vowing to rebuild their country under a new system.
"I want to thank General Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi for what he did, and we want to direct this revolution in a different way, not like the previous revolution. The last one was directed by the military council, but this one we need to be directed by a transitional civil council that can change the constitution and after that conduct parliamentary elections and a presidential election."
But at the same time, thousands of Morsi supporters in the coastal city of Alexandria say they are willing to sacrifice themselves for the return of Morsi.
"I want to tell everyone, the whole world, that Morsi is the legitimate president. No matter what happens, he is the legitimate president. If they want protests and a new revolution after January 25 in 2011, which they don't want to fulfill any of its demands, we will have one. Every day, you will see protests like this one."
Political analyst Osama al-Ghazali says the leading concern right now should be how to revive the country's lagging economy.
"We hope that Egypt can now receive more and more tourists because tourism is a very important for Egyptian economy, and we also we hope that we can attract more and more investments in this country because we need these investments."
For CRI, I'm Su Yi.
 
 
S. Korea to discuss constructive Kaesong normalization with DPRK
 
South Korea's unification ministry says it will discuss how to reopen the Kaesong industrial park with North Korea tomorrow.
This comes a day after Seoul and Pyongyang agreed to hold working-level talks at the truce village of Panmunjeom Saturday.
Unification Ministry spokesman Kim Hyung-suk.
"We told the North that the agendas of the talks are the Kaesong Industrial Park's facility check and taking out finished and raw materials from the park as well as normalization of the industrial park. It is likely that several issues related to these matters would be discussed."
The Kaesong industrial park, which houses over 100 South Korean companies, has been suspended for nearly three months after Pyongyang banned about 53-thousand of its workers from reporting to work.
 
 
Beijing launchs air ambulance service system.
 
Beijing is to establish an air emergency medical service network by the end of the year.
As well as that Beijing Red Cross 999 Emergency Center is planning to launch the first air rescue insurance by year end.
It is hoped it will help cut service expenses remarkably.
An Air ambulance service began in Beijing in 2011, it now costs some 30-thousand-yuan per hour.
Local residents in Beijing have mixed feeling towards the service.
"I think no matter how much it costs, I can never afford it. Maybe it's still too much for common people like us."
"30,000 per hour is too expensive for me. One or two thousand might be acceptable."
"Using helicopters to airlift patients must be a big trend, for it could help the patient get timely treatment. As for expenses, I think, with the support of insurance, it might be alright."
Prices of the air rescue insurance are still being finalized.
The rescue helicopter is able to cover a radius of some 300-kilometers.
It can reach anywhere in the city of Beijing within one hour.
The service is also expected to be able to cover Tianjin, Hebei, and Xi'an.
Now there are five aircraft parking areas in Beijing.
The emergency center says it's planning to build another fifteen aircraft aprons by the end of this year.
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
Asian Stock
 
First off, a check on the closing numbers in Asia.
Join me in the studio, CRI's Shen Chengcheng.
Reporter:
Chinese shares closed higher today, boosted by financial and property stocks.
When the market closed,
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index climbed slightly and closed almost flat.
The Shenzhen Component Index edged up 0.6 percent.
While in Hong Kong, The benchmark Hang Seng Index gained 1.8 percent.
Elsewhere, Tokyo's Nikkei Stock Average added over 2 percent to a five-week high after the European Central bank and the Bank of England promise to easy money policies.
Meanwhile, South Korea's Kospi fell 0.3 percent after Samsung's second-quarter earnings missed market consensus.
Elsewhere, Singapore's Strait Times Index gained 0.7 percent.
Australian S&P/ASX 200 was up 0.9 percent.
 
 
China makes new offer to settle solar panel dispute
 
China has made a new offer with the European Union to settle the dispute over solar panels.
It is being reported that under the proposal, China will export no more than 10 gigawatt of photo-voltaic modules to the EU per year, at a minimum price of 0.5 euros per watt.
Any exports exceeding the limit will be subject to punitive tariffs.
In return, the EU should levy no or low taxes on Chinese solar panels.
Earlier, EU regulators accused Chinese solar panel makers of selling their products below cost price and began to impose duties on imports of Chinese solar panels last month.
The initial duty was set at 11.8 percent and would apply until next month.
If no settlement is reached before next month, the average rate will rise to 47.6 percent.
The EU accounts for about half of China's solar exports and the dispute has the potential to affect 21 billion euros worth of imported Chinese solar panels.
 
 
China to cut retail fuel prices
 
Retail price of gasoline here in China is to be cut by 80 yuan per tonne starting from Tomorrow.
The benchmark retail prices of gasoline and diesel will be lowered by 0.06 yuan per liter.
National Development and Reform Commission last adjusted gasoline and diesel prices on June 22nd, raising them by 100 yuan and 95 yuan respectively.
Fuel prices are now adjusted when international crude prices reflect a change of more than 50 yuan per tonne over 10 working days.
 
 
Xinjiang Wind Power
 
Anchor:
Renewable energy has long been regarded as one of the keys to sustainable economic development.
The wind power industry in northwest China's Xinjiang is contributing to the country's economy via energy mix.
Li Dong has the details.
Reporter:
Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region's vast wind power resources are now being shared with other provinces in China, allowing the country to utilize an alternative energy resource.
Xinjiang is one of China's richest regions in terms of wind energy, accounting for 40 percent of the country's total reserves. Halfway between Turpan and the regional capital of Urumqi, powerful wind blows for more than 8,600 hours a year. This makes it an ideal place for the largest wind power generation base in Asia.
It is said that about 0.2 yuan or about 0.033 U.S. dollars is earned when the blades on the wind turbines are turned. Now, the wind power base has installed generating units that are capable of producing electricity from 2,500 to 6,000 kilowatts. The units can generate at least 2,500 kilowatts of electricity in a single hour.
Salam Mamat, deputy general manager of the Xinjiang Electric Power Company says Xinjiang's power grid was integrated onto the state grid at the end of 2010, realizing the transmission of its electricity to other provinces.
"Xinjiang could transit 700,000 to 800,000 kilowatts in 2010. Now we can transit as much as 2.8 million kilowatts. The number will surpass four million kilowatts by the end of this year."
The electricity that Xinjiang generated by the end of 2012 was four times the amount generated in 2009. A power transmission line that links Hami and Golmud in Qinghai Province has been built which is capable of transmitting 35 billion kilowatts. Another power transmission line, from Hami to Zhengzhou in Henan Province will be completed in September this year.
Once the second line is complete, Xinjiang will transmit more than 65 billion kilowatts a year to other provinces, saving as much as 31 million tons of coal.
Wang Haibo, president of Goldwind Science and Technology says that even though Xinjiang has long possessed huge wind power resources, these resources were previously difficult to exploit as the region's power grid was independent of the state grid.
"If we continued to follow the traditional development pattern, we would certainly lag behind other provinces."
China is now the world's largest wind power generator in terms of installed capacity.
For CRI, I am Li Dong.
 
 
New loans at big four lower than estimates
 
China's big-four banks may have extended around 270-billion yuan in total new lending in June, lower than expected.
The figure, forecasted by Shanghai Securities News, is equivalent to the average in the previous five months.
Analysts say the weaker-than-expected loan growth is partly due to the recent cash squeeze in China's interbank market.
 
 
Local govnerment bond sales pilot expand
 
China's Ministry of Finance is set to allow six cities and provinces to sell bonds directly.
It comes as part of an expanded pilot program to set up a regulated financing system for local governments.
Jiangsu and Shandong provinces have been added to the list.
Other four cities including Shanghai received approval in 2011 as the first local governments eligible to issue bonds directly.
 
 
Samsung Electronics second quarter misses forecast
 
Samsung Electronics has forecast weaker-than-expected profits for the April to June quarter.
The world's biggest mobile phone maker has forecasted an operating profit of 9.5 trillion won or 8.3 billion U.S dollars.
It is up 47-percent from same period last year.
However, analysts expect the figure to be close to 10 trillion.
The disappointing earnings estimate has sent its shares down more than 3-percent today.
It is feared that Samsung's smartphone business may have peaked, as growth in sales of its blockbuster Galaxy phones begins to wane.
The concerns come after the launch of new products from rival manufacturers and relatively low-cost smartphones by Chinese firms including Huawei and ZTE.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
Chinese warships arrive in Russia's Far East for joint naval drill
 
A fleet of Chinese warships have arrived in Russia's Far Eastern port of Vladivostok for a week-long joint naval drill.
The drill, which is being dubbed "Joint Sea 2013," is one of the largest joint military maneuvers in the region.
The drills involve a total 19 vessels, eight planes and two teams of special forces from both countries.
With exercises focusing on joint maritime air defense, joint escorts and marine search and rescue operations.
It is the first time for the two navies to stage joint exercises in waters near Russia's Peter the Great Bay.
 
 
8 dead, 11 missing in SW China landslide, floods
 
Eight people have been killed in a rain-triggered landslide and floods in Sichuan Province.
11 others are missing in the city of Ya'an.
Traffic on several highways have also been suspended due to the rainstorm.
At least four villages in the area have been affected by the heavy rain.
More than 4,700 residents have been relocated.
 
 
China makes new offer to settle solar panel dispute
 
China has made a new offer with the European Union to settle the dispute over solar panels.
It is being reported that under the proposal, China will export no more than 10 gigawatt of photo-voltaic modules to the EU per year, at a minimum price of 0.5 euros per watt.
Any exports exceeding the limit will be subject to punitive tariffs.
In return, the EU should levy no or low taxes on Chinese solar panels.
The EU accounts for about half of China's solar exports and the dispute has the potential to affect 21 billion euros worth of imported Chinese solar panels.
 
 
S. Korea to discuss constructive Kaesong normalization with DPRK
 
South Korea says it will discuss how to constructively normalize the Kaesong industrial complex with North Korea tomorrow.
The two sides agreed to hold working-level talks at the truce village of Panmunjeom Saturday morning.
The two sides are also expected to discuss how to bring back finished goods and materials and how to maintain facilities and equipment to the complex.
The Kaesong industrial park, which is home to more than 120 South Korean companies, has been suspended for nearly three months after Pyongyang banned its workers from reporting to work.
 
 
Rocket crash may be due to premature engines ignition: space agency
 
Russian space agency is blaming a premature launch for the failed launch of the Proton-M rocket this week.
Proton-M which was carrying three communications satellites crashed on Tuesday shortly after lift-off.
Roscosmos says the rocket blasted-off before its engines started to work on full capacity.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 
Xinhua
"Entertainment tickets too costly "
The Minister of Culture Cai Wu says the cost of tickets for plays, movies and other forms of entertainment is too high.
Tickets can easily reach a price of several hundred yuan or even 1,000 yuan ($163),"
The Minister added tickets for entertainment in China are among the highest in the world and blames the high rental prices for theaters, big-budget productions and the large sums of money demanded by entertainers.
China Daily
 "Back-to-school facelift growing trend in China"
While most college freshmen are busy buying books and stationery, a growing number of teens are opting for plastic surgery to get ahead when the new semester starts.
Following the end of college entrance exam on June 8th, plastic surgeons report a staggering rise in the number of youngsters going under the knife.
Several hospitals in Wuhan, Hubei province have received quadruple the number of patients for plastic surgery. 70-percent of them are high school seniors.
Most of the procedures students opt for are facial reshaping, including double-eyelid surgery, nose jobs and spot removal.
The Telegraph
 "Couples who do not argue live longer, study finds"
A 20-year study of married life has found couples who do not argue live longer and are more likely to stay in good health than those who do.
It revealed among the most common subjects causing arguments which lead to bad health are finance and the in-laws.
When it comes to the vows 'in sickness and in health', researchers say it seems to depend on how much friction there is in the marriage.
They followed nearly 1,700 married adults over two decades and found the more they argued, the worse their general health.
India Express
 "High intensity workouts may curb people's appetite "
Some studies have shown that high intensity exercise is tied to appetite suppression and changes in hormones that regulate hunger and fullness.
17 overweight men volunteered for 4 30-minute exercise sessions.
In the first session they rested with the other 3 involving stationary cycling at moderate, high and very high intensity.
It found the men ate fewer calories after the high and very high intensity workouts compared to the times when they rested.
The men also reported eating fewer calories on the day following the highest intensity workout than they did on the days following the other exercise sessions.
 
 
Special Reports
 
 
New Filial Law Arouses Opinions on Social Care for Senior Citizens
 
Anchor:
A new Elderly Protection Law has come into effect here in China.
It has sparked hot debate in China over a clause that demands those who live apart from their parents to visit them more often or regularly contact them.
CRI's Xu Fei takes a closer look at whether filial piety, should be considered a moral issue and a key virtue within Chinese culture, and whether it should be regulated by law.
Reporter:
Family members should care about the psychological needs of their elderly relatives, and visit them or send greetings on a regular basis.
That is according to Clause 18 of the newly-amended Chinese Elderly Protection Law which took effect on Monday. And it appears to be good news for Yang Liuzhen who now lives in a senior care center in south China's Guangdong Province.
"I'm their grandma, not their mother. Coming to see me is usually difficult for them. They only have one day off per week. And also they have other relatives and friends."
38-year old Gao Shan, an editor at the Beijing-based publishing house Law Press China, said he visits his parents once a week. For those who don't visit their elderly parents, Gao Shan thinks the new clause fails to specify punishments accordingly.
"It's unclear what the punishment will be for those who do not adhere to the clause of the amended law? The law requires children to regularly visit their aging parents, but how about if they fail to do this? Without this, the clause becomes impractical and unable to direct our life."
However, according to Li Jianfei, a professor with the Law College of China's prestigious Renmin University, even if the law is ambiguous, the fact that the government is using the law to force people to fulfill their filial duties is worthwhile as young Chinese people become busier and as a result show less concern for their ageing parents.
"If they argue the new law is ambiguous, I think many other laws have the same problem of being impractical in a real situation. Despite that, I think the amended law that requires children to regularly visit their aging parents is highly necessary. The recent debate on this subject is powerful proof that the law is reasonable."
Since the law took effect, some people have commented that the regulations reflect a deteriorating sense of morality among Chinese people.
Meanwhile, some people argue that the law only adds to the pressure that people across China already face. One Weibo user said that most children want to visit their parents, but they don't have the time and often have to make a living in other cities.
Song Ruliang, director of a law-governance research center based in Guangdong, believes if work places pose an obstacle for children visiting their parents, relevant authorities have the right to intervene.
A major challenge facing the country in taking care of its elderly population comes as a result of the rapidly aging society.
According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the number of people aged 60 or older in China reached 185 million by the end of 2011, accounting for 13.7 percent of the population, and that number will exceed 200 million this year.
For CRI, I'm Xu Fei
 
 
Sports
 
 
Lisicki, Bartoli to Battle in Wimbledon Final
 
This year's Venus Rosewater Dish will be lifted by either a German or a Frenchwoman.
Germany's Sabine Lisicki will get the chance to fulfill her childhood dream when she contests the Wimbledon final for the first time.
The 23-year-old will meet France's Marion Bartoli for the Wimbledon title.
CRI's London correspondent Tu Yun has more.
Reporter:
In their previous two meetings, Sabine Lisicki and Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska were equally matched, each with one victory over the other on hard court.
But when they went head to head for the third time, the 23rd-seeded German got the upper hand, overcoming a wobbling second set to beat the 4th-seeded Pole 6-4,2-6,9-7.
Lisicki says the experience acquired through the last match against defending champion Serena Williams helped.
"A little bit in the third set when I was down 3-0. I thought 'Ok, you've done it against Serena. You can do it again today as well. Just hang in there.' And the crowd was super. Definitely it gave me so much confidence. And Wimbledon is my favorite tournament. I love it so much and I cannot believe I'm in the final."
With that victory over Williams, Lisicki became the first German woman to reach the Wimbledon final since Steffi Graf in 1999.
She will face off against Marion Bartoli in the ultimate match.
The 15th-seeded Frenchwoman thrashed 20th-placed Belgian Kirsten Flipkens 6-1, 6-2.
It's Bartoli's second time to reach the Wimbledon final.
"We had some great passing shots and some great lobs. Everything was working so perfectly. To do that in the semifinals of Wimbledon was an amazing feeling."
The women's singles final will be held on Saturday.
For CRI, I'm Tu Yun at Wimbledon.
Meanwhile
Competitors for the men's final will be unveiled later today.
Andy Murray will go into the semi-final against Jerzy Janowicz , while world number one Novak Djokovic is to face Juan Martin Del Potro.
China's Peng Shuai and Hsieh Su-Wei are battling towards women's doubles final, up against Chanelle Scheepers from South Africa and Japanese Shuko Aoyama.
 
 
Candidates for IOC Presidency give presentations
 
Six candidates in the running to replace current International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge have given their manifestos to fellow IOC members at a close-door meeting in Switzerland.
It is the first time campaign speeches have been held in an IOC Presidential election.
The six are Germany's Thomas Bach, Ukraine's Sergey Bubka, Puerto Rico's Richard Carrion, Singapore's Ng Ser Miang, Denis Oswald of Switzerland and Wu Ching-Kuo from Taiwan.
Jacques Rogge is leaving in September after 12 years as IOC President:
"It was a good idea to have the candidates present their program. The membership like it very much, many members told me that this was a good idea that they want it to be organized. And I must say, it was very interesting, very good programs, well articulated and I'm happy about the process."
Elections for the new IOC President are set to take place during the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires in September.
Meanwhile, Buenos Aires has won the bid to host the 2018 Youth Olympics.
The Argentine capital has defeated Medellin, Colombia to win the bid.
 
 
André Greipel claims victory at stage 6 at the Tour de France
 
On the Tour de France,
German cyclist André Greipel has won stage six in just under four hours.
South African Daryl Impey has become the overall leader and the first African to wear the yellow jersey in the 110-year history game:
"This is a dream come true, a magical moment. Big day for South Africa, big day for African cycling and, oh massive for my family. My two month old son Ayden is here as well, so.... this is a special day."
Peter Sagan retains the green jersey after coming in second while another German rider Marcel Kittel finished third.
Mark Cavendish was downed in a crash in the later part of the stage, but he managed to make up the lost time and came in fourth.
The seventh stage, a bumpy 205.5km race from Montpellier to Albi, is one of the course's transitional stages as the riders approach the base of the Pyrenees mountains.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
New Kids on the Block Advise Bieber
 
One of the original boy bands New Kids on the Block are offering their advice to the often troubled Justin Bieber.
The group urges Bieber to try and enjoy his success and not worry too much about current troubles.
Bieber's latest problems included being sued for assault by a photographer and facing battery charges for allegedly spitting at his neighbor.
The teen superstar has taken to twitter recently to retaliate against the Hollywood media which he thinks is treating him unfairly.
The New Kids on the Block advise Bieber to not pay attention to media reports and instead focus on being himself and having fun.
Bieber is on tour and will play Omaha and Chicago over the next week.
 
 
Singer Bernie Nolan Dies
 
Singer and actress Bernadette Bernie Nolan has died after battling cancer for several years.
The 52-year-old performer was best known for her lead vocals in the Nolan Sisters group during the 1970s and 80s.
The group consisted of her and her three sisters and had several hits including I'm in the Mood for Dancing and Don't Make Waves.
Nolan underwent a mastectomy in 2010 and was declared cancer free, but the disease returned in 2012 and spread to her brain, lungs, liver, and bones.
The performer's attitude towards the end was nothing short of chipper.
She claims she would wake everyday happy and made the decision to enjoy the remainder of her life.
Nolan also starred in the stage musical Blood Brothers and later played the role of Diane Murray in Brookside.
Nolan's husband helped her complete her memoir Now and Forever which was released earlier this year.
 
 
Dr. Who Considered Michael Jackson and Bill Cosby
 
A new book about the UK cult phenomenon TV show Dr. Who claims popstar Michael Jackson and comedian Bill Cosby were both considered for the lead role in a proposed 1980s film adaptation.
Author Charles Norton claims Paramount Pictures was interested in adapting the BBC sci-fi show for the big screen.
Jackson was the number one choice for the film with Cosby being a back-up option.
Obviously the film was never made for a variety of reasons, one being Jackson may have been to expensive to afford for the film considering this was at the height of his career.
A Dr. Who film has been the source of much speculation in recent years.
In 2011 Harry Potter director David Yates expressed interest in making a film version though nothing ever came of it.
 
 
Daft Punk Toys to be Made
 
French electro duo Daft Punk have announced plans to release their own action figures.
The Get Lucky pair have teamed up with toymakers Bandai and Japan's SH Figuarts to make and distribute the figures.
The product description promises fans they'll be made with attention paid to meticulous detail.
The pair's infamous helmets will have a shiny metallic finish and clear parts for enhanced realism.
The action figures will also feature advanced articulation and interchangeable hands allowing them to be dynamically posed.
The toys should be available in Japan and the US by the end of the year though no details yet regarding a European release.
Daft Punk is riding high on a wave of unbelievable success this year following the release of their new album Radom Access Memories and single Get Lucky, which has sold over a million copies in the UK so far.
 
 
Rolling Stones to Plant a Bunch of Trees for Gig
 
The Rolling Stones are preparing for their upcoming gigs in Hyde Park by planting trees.
Massive oak trees have been planted near the stage with many shrubs around the equipment areas.
The band says they want to recreate their first experience playing Hyde Park in 1969 before the trees were cleared or replanted.
The oaks are more than 70-feet high and will blend in with the stage.
The upcoming gig will almost fall on the exact day they played in 1969 which featured Mick Taylor in the lineup following the firing and subsequent death of original band leader Brian Jones.
Back then lead singer Mick Jagger opened the set by reading a Shelley poem and releasing 2-thousand white butterflies.
Last weekend the Rolling Stones made history as they made their first appearance at the Glastonbury music festival where they played a 2-hour plus show.